51. Can we repent and believe of ourselves? No; the power to repent and believe is given us of God.— [Eph. ii, 8; Rom. xi, 29. 52. How can we know when we believe in Jesus Christ? "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself."—1 John v, 10. 66 53. What witness is this? The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.". -Rom. viii, 16. § 3. THE FRUITS AND EXTENT OF SALVATION. 54. What fruits doth this faith produce? Justification, regeneration, sanctification. Rom. 1; John i, 12, 13; 55. What is justification? Gal. ii, 16; 2 Thess. ii, 13. Justification is that act of God's free grace in which he pardons our sins and accepts us as righteous in his sight for the sake of Christ.-Eph. i, 7; 2 Cor. v, 21; Rom. iii, 24; v, 19. 56. What is regeneration? It is the new birth of the soul in the image of Christ, whereby we become the children of God.Eph. i, 5; John i, 12, 18; John iii, 3; Eph. iv, 24; 1 John iii, 2. 57. What is sanctification? Sanctification is that act of divine grace whereby we are made holy.—1 Thess. v, 23; Eph. i, 4; Col. i, 22; Heb. xiii, 12. 58. May every believer be wholly sanctified in this life? Yes; God's command is, "Be ye holy, for I am holy;" and his promise is, that "if we confess our sins" he will "cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 19 1 Peter 1, 16; 1 Thess. iv, 8; 59. What is implied in being a perfect Christian, or in being wholly sanctified? Loving God with all our heart and soul, mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. 60. Is it possible for a justified or a sanctified Christian to fall from grace and perish ? It is; for even the apostle Paul feared lest, after having preached to others, he himself should be a castaway. [1 Cor. ix, 27. 61. How shall we guard against the danger of falling from grace? By watchfulness, prayer, and a life of faith in the Son of God. V. THE MEANS OF GRACE. §1.-THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY. 62. What are the principal means of grace? The Church, the sacraments, the word of God, and prayer. 63. In what two forms does the Church of God exist? The visible and the invisible. 65. What is the invisible Church? 64. What is the visible Church? The visible Church of Christ is a con gregation of faithful men, in which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinance. [Acts ii, 42; Matt. xvi, 18; Eph. v, 27. The whole body of God's true people in every period of time. 66. Ought not all persons, where the gospel is preached, to become believers in Christ and members of the Church? They ought; in order to have a visible union with Christ, the Head of the Church, and communion with his people. [Eph. v, 23; John xvii, 21; 1 Cor. xii, 20. 67. Who are to preach the word of God and administer the sacraments ? Faithful men, called of God and set apart by the Church to the office and work of the ministry.-Heb. v. 4; Acts xii, 2, 8; § 2. THE SACRAMENTS. v, 68. How many sacraments has Christ ordained in his Church? Two; baptism and the Lord's supper.-Matt. xxviii, 19; 1 Cor. xi, 23–26. 69. What is a sacrament? An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. 70. What is the out ward sign in bap tism? Water, applied in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.— [John iii, 5; Matt. xxviii, 19, 71. What is the in- A death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness. (1.) BAPTISM. They are admitted to the visible Church of Christ; their relation to him as the Mediator of the new covenant, and their title to the spiritual blessings thereto belonging, are solemnly confirmed. (2.) THE LORD'S SUPPER. 73. Why was the sacrament of the Lord's supper ordained? For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ's death, and of the benefits that we thereby receive.-28-26. 1 Cor. xi, 74. What is the outward sign of the Lord's supper? Bread and wine, received according to Christ's command. 75. What is the inward grace of this sacrament? The communion of the body and blood of Christ, whereby we are reminded of his sacrificial death, and spiritually strengthened to do HIS will. |